Anti-ram crash gate

ABSTRACT

An exemplary method associated with a crash gate configured to guard against motor vehicles crossing in a direction from an attack side to a protected side includes securing a buttress post assembly and a latch post assembly on opposite sides of a roadway, the buttress post assembly having two vertical buttress posts forming a barrier passage, the latch post assembly having two vertical latch posts forming a latch gap, and a vertical pin positioned in the latch gap; and mounting a moveable barrier in the barrier passage, the barrier including a rectangular frame with a horizontal gate beam extending from a buttress end to a latch end, the latch end including a hook open toward the protected side, wherein in a closed position the latch end is located in the latch gap.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of U.S. Ser. No. 15/172,142, filed on Jun. 2, 2016, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/171,948, filed Jun. 5, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the disclosure. It should be understood that the statements in this section of this document are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

Vehicle barrier systems are utilized to guard against access to protected areas. In particular, the systems are provided to stop motor vehicles, such as trucks, from being intentionally driven into certain areas for nefarious purposes. At least one agency of the United States Government has provided standards to certify barriers for use.

SUMMARY

An exemplary method associated with a crash gate configured to guard against motor vehicles crossing in a direction from an attack side to a protected side includes securing a buttress post assembly and a latch post assembly on opposite sides of a roadway, the buttress post assembly having two vertical buttress posts forming a barrier passage, the latch post assembly having two vertical latch posts forming a latch gap, and a vertical pin positioned in the latch gap; and mounting a moveable barrier in the barrier passage, the barrier including a rectangular frame with a horizontal gate beam extending from a buttress end to a latch end, the latch end including a hook open toward the protected side, wherein in a closed position the latch end is located in the latch gap.

An exemplary method of crash testing an anti-ram gate includes impacting a vehicle of substantial mass into a barrier of an anti-ram gate when the vehicle is traveling in a direction from an attack side toward a protected side and the anti-ram gate stopping the vehicle within a distance of a closed position of the barrier. An exemplary anti-ram gate includes a buttress post assembly secured in a ground comprising two buttress posts forming a barrier passage, a latch post assembly secured in the ground on an opposite side of a roadway from the buttress post assembly, the latch post assembly having two latch posts forming a latch gap, a vertical pin positioned in the latch gap and extending between the pair of vertically spaced apart struts, and the barrier having a horizontal gate beam disposed in the barrier passage and extending from a buttress end to a latch end, the buttress end having a lateral width greater than a lateral width of the barrier passage, and the latch end having a hook open toward the protected side, wherein the barrier is positioned in the closed position with the barrier extending across the roadway, the buttress end positioned on the opposite side of the two buttress posts from the roadway, and with the latch end located in the latch gap on the attack side relative to the vertical pin.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure is best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is emphasized that, in accordance with standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an anti-ram crash gate according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of an anti-ram crash gate according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of an example of an anti-ram crash gate according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of a barrier portion of an anti-ram crash gate according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a barrier portion of an anti-ram crash gate according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an elevation view of a panel of a barrier of an anti-ram crash gate according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a top view of a center gate beam of a barrier of an anti-ram crash gate according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a center gate beam of a barrier of an anti-ram crash gate according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a portion of a track of an anti-ram crash gate according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the track along the line I-I of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a view of a latch post assembly of an anti-ram crash gate according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 12 is an elevation view of a latch post assembly of an anti-ram crash gate according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a buttress post assembly of an anti-ram crash gate according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 14 is an elevation view of a buttress post assembly of an anti-ram crash gate according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of a buttress post assembly of an anti-ram crash gate according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of a roller section of the buttress post assembly of FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of various embodiments. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an anti-ram crash gate assembly 10 according to one or more aspects of the disclosure described with additional reference to FIGS. 1-16. Crash gate assembly 10 includes a barrier 12 (i.e., gate) that in the closed position extends between a buttress post assembly 14 and a latch post assembly 16. Buttress post assembly 14 and latch post assembly 16 are positioned on opposite sides of a roadway 20, e.g., paved or unpaved path for motor vehicles, also referred to as an entry port. Barrier 12 can be moved laterally to the right in FIGS. 1 and 2, for example along a track 18, to the open position permitting passage across the roadway 20 between the buttress and latch post assemblies. Track 18, if utilized, may extend to latch post assembly 16.

In the closed position, crash gate assembly 10 is an anti-ram crash barrier configured to stop the penetration of a motor vehicle 22 that crashes into barrier 12. Barrier 12 should fully stop an impacting vehicle within a desired penetration distance. United States federal agencies (e.g., the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of State (DOS)) have developed test standards using crash tests to quantify, verify, and certify barrier performance. Such test methods were initially published by the U.S. Dept. of State in 1985 as SD-STD-02.01, which was revised in 2003 as SD-STD-02.01 Revision A, and which was replaced in 2009 with ASTM F2656-07 (Standard Test Method for Vehicle Crash Testing of Perimeter Barriers). Embodiments of the disclosed crash gate assembly 10 are configured to be crash-rated by certifying agencies such as DOD, DOS, ASTM and British Standards (BSI). Vehicle barriers are tested by crashing a motor vehicle from a perpendicular direction into the barrier. The vehicle barrier is rated based on the test vehicles weight, the speed of impact, and the penetration of the vehicle (e.g., the cargo bed) beyond the pre-impact inside edge of the barrier. For example, a “K” or “M” designates a medium duty vehicle with a gross weight of 15,000 pounds (6810 kg). The speed ratings include K4/M30 for traveling at 28.0 to 37.9 miles per hour (mph), K8/M40 traveling at 38.0 to 46.9 mph, and K12/M50 traveling at 47.0 mph and above. The penetration ratings include P1 for less than or equal to 1 meter (3.3 ft.), P2 for 1.10 to 7 m (3.31 to 23.0 ft.), P3 for 7.01 to 30 m (23.1 to 98.4 ft.), and P4 for 30 m (98 ft.) or greater. For example, an M50-P1 crash barrier is designed to stop a medium duty truck traveling 50 mph with a penetration distance of 3.3 feet or less.

In FIG. 1, crash gate assembly 10 is positioned between a protected side 24 and motor vehicle 22 approaching from attack side 26. In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, gate assembly 10 is configured to achieve a crash-rating. According to some embodiments, gate assembly 10 is configured to achieve a crash-rating of M50-P1.

Buttress and latch post assemblies 14, 16 are each set in concrete foundations 28 that extend below grade level 30. Roadway 20, which is blocked by closed barrier 12, extends a length 32 between the buttress and latch post assemblies. In the non-limiting examples illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, length 32 is for example about 28 feet and the buttress and latch post assemblies 14, 16 are each set in concrete foundations 28 that extend less than about two feet in depth (thickness) below grade level 30. Concrete foundations 28 may be shallow or deep foundations. A shallow foundation may have a depth of about twenty-inches or less below grade. According to aspects of the system, concrete foundation 28 may extend about eighteen-inches or less below grade. According to aspects of the system, foundation 28 may extend about twelve inches or less below grade.

FIGS. 3 to 6 illustrate an example of a barrier 12. In the illustrated example, barrier 12 is a substantially rectangular structure (i.e., frame 40) including a horizontal gate beam 34 that extends from a buttress end 36 to a latch end 38 and is located proximate to the center of gate frame 40. In a non-limiting example, gate beam 34 is a wide flange beam, for example a W6×25 beam (i.e., 6 inches deep with a weight of 25 lbs/ft.). Gate frame 40 is defined along the top and bottom sides by top and bottom horizontal members 41, 43, and on the vertical sides by first and second vertical members 42, 44. As illustrated for example in FIG. 4, top horizontal member 41 is longer than bottom horizontal member 43. First and second vertical member 42, 44 are shown connected to gate beam 34 on the attack side of gate beam 34 proximate to buttress end 36 and latch end 38. Gate frame 40 may further include vertical members 46 spaced apart along the span of gate frame 40 and connected on their ends to top and bottom horizontal members 41, 43. Gate frame 40 is a structural frame constructed for example with steel tubing. In an embodiment, horizontal members 41, 43 and vertical members 42, 44, 46 are constructed of 3-inch-by-4-inch, 11 gauge steel tubing.

In an exemplary embodiment, gate frame 40 includes a panel 48 shown in isolation in FIG. 6. The illustrated panels 48 are formed of spaced apart vertical pickets 50 connected to top and bottom rails 52, 54, which are connected with gate frame 40, for example between adjacent vertical members 42, 44, 46, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Vertical pickets 50 are constructed, for example, of about 0.5-inch metal pickets spaced apart about four inches on center. In an exemplary embodiment, gate frame 40 extends about thirty-feet horizontally, for example for a twenty-eight-foot roadway, and panel 48 extends vertically about four-feet between top and bottom horizontal members 41, 43 and extends horizontally about seven-feet between adjacent vertical pickets 42, 44, 46.

FIGS. 7 and 8, described with additional reference in particular to FIGS. 1-5, illustrate an exemplary center gate beam 34. A stop mechanism 56, for example a metal plate, is connected, e.g., welded, to gate beam 34 at buttress end 36. In the illustrated example, stop mechanism comprises two spaced apart stop plates 58, for example T-shaped, to contact buttress post assembly 14 when barrier 12 is in the closed position (see, e.g., FIG. 2). T-shaped buttress end 36 is larger than barrier passage 94. In at least one embodiment, stop plates 58 are constructed of a one-inch steel plate. A latch 60 is connected at latch end 38 of gate beam 34 and includes a first latch member 62 to operationally connect with a second latch member 64 at latch post assembly 16 (see, e.g. FIG. 1). In the non-limiting examples, first latch element 62 comprises a hook and second latch member 64 is a pin. In the example of FIG. 8, latch 60 is formed of two metal plates that are spaced apart and connected to gate beam 34.

Referring back to FIGS. 2-4, barrier 12 may include rollers 66, e.g., wheels, along the bottom side to move the barrier along track 18. FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate an example of track 18. Track 18 may include angle iron 68 connected, for example by welds 70, to a base plate 72 to form a peak 74 that may be disposed in the groove in rollers 66.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate an example of a latch post assembly 16 according to aspects of the disclosure described with reference to FIGS. 1-6. Latch post assembly 16 includes a pair of vertical latch posts 76 that are spaced apart to form a gap 75 into which at least first latch member 62, connected to latch end 38 of barrier 12 and gate beam 34, can be disposed to connect with second latch member 64 of latch post assembly 16. In the illustrated example, second latch member 64 is a pin (e.g., metal rod), which is connected to latch posts by strut members 78.

Latch posts 76 are connected to one another, for example, at the top ends with a cap plate 80 and proximate the bottom ends by a base plate 82 and a gusset plate 84. A longitudinal leg 86 extends outward from the bottom of each latch post 76 in a direction parallel to barrier 12 (see, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 2), which is referred to as the longitudinal direction. In the illustrated examples, longitudinal leg 86 extends outward in the direction away from the roadway. The pair of longitudinal legs 86 may be connected at their first ends 85 to the respective latch posts 76 and base plate 82 and connected together proximate to their second ends 87 by a spacer base plate 83. A lateral ground leg 88 is connected at its first end proximate the bottom end of latch post 76 on the protected side and extends substantially perpendicular to barrier 12 (longitudinal direction) and toward the protected side. Each of legs 86, 88 may further be supported by a brace plate 90 connected between the first end and respective latch post 76. In a non-limiting example, latch posts 76 are constructed of a 12-inch-by-8-inch, 0.5-inch thick steel tubing, legs 86, 88 are constructed of 8-inch, 31-lbs/foot wide flange beams (W8×31), and second latch member 64 is a 2.5-inch diameter steel rod connected to the latch posts with 1-inch steel plates 78.

FIGS. 13 to 16 illustrate an example of a buttress post assembly 14 according to aspects of the disclosure described with reference to FIGS. 1-6. Buttress post assembly 14 includes a pair of vertical buttress posts 92 that are spaced apart to form a passage 94 in which barrier 12 is disposed. A pair of rollers 96 are connected with buttress post assembly 14 to provide a pathway 97 between the rollers in which barrier 12 is positioned. Pathway 97 is sized proximate to the width of barrier 12 to provide structural strength and support to the barrier.

A pair of vertically spaced apart stops 98 are located on the opposite side of buttress posts 92 from the roadway for disposing stop plates 58 on gate beam 34 when barrier 12 is in the closed position, see e.g., FIG. 2. In an embodiment, stops 98 are constructed of 2-inch-by-2-inch steel bar.

Buttress posts 92 are connected to one another for example at the top ends with a cap plate 80 and proximate the bottom ends by a base plate 82 and gusset plate 84. A longitudinal leg 86 extends horizontally outward from the bottom of each buttress post 92 in a direction parallel to barrier 12 (see, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 2). In the illustrated examples, longitudinal leg 86 extends outward in the direction away from the roadway. The pair of longitudinal legs 86 may be connected at their first ends 85 to the respective buttress posts 92 and base plate 82 and connected together proximate to their second ends 87 by a spacer base plate 83. A lateral leg 88 is connected at its first end proximate to the bottom end of the buttress post and extends substantially perpendicular to barrier 12 and toward protected side 24. Each of the ground support legs 86, 88 may further be supported by a brace plate 90 that is connected between the first end and the respective buttress post 92. In a non-limiting example, buttress posts 92 are constructed of a 12-inch-by-8-inch, 0.5-inch thick steel tubing, and legs 86, 88 are W8×31 beams.

The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. The scope of the invention should be determined only by the language of the claims that follow. The term “comprising” within the claims is intended to mean “including at least” such that the recited listing of elements in a claim are an open group. The terms “a,” “an” and other singular terms are intended to include the plural forms thereof unless specifically excluded. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method associated with a crash gate configured to guard against motor vehicles crossing in a direction from an attack side to a protected side, comprising: securing a buttress post assembly and a latch post assembly on opposite sides of a roadway, wherein the buttress post assembly comprises two vertical buttress posts forming a barrier passage, the latch post assembly comprises two vertical latch posts forming a latch gap, and one of a vertical pin or a hook connected to the latch post assembly and positioned in the latch gap; and mounting a moveable barrier in the barrier passage, the barrier comprising a rectangular frame including a horizontal gate beam extending from a buttress end to a latch end, the latch end comprising the other one of the vertical pin or the hook, wherein the hook is open toward the protected side, wherein in a closed position the latch end is located in the latch gap and the vertical pin is positioned outside of the hook.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein: the buttress post assembly comprises a lateral leg located below ground and extending substantially perpendicular to the barrier and a longitudinal leg located below the ground and extending substantially parallel to the barrier; and the latch post assembly comprises a lateral leg located below ground and extending substantially perpendicular to the barrier and a longitudinal leg located below the ground and extending substantially parallel to the barrier.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the two buttress posts are interconnected proximate their top ends; and the two latch posts are interconnected proximate their top ends.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the two buttress posts are interconnected proximate their bottom ends; and the two latch posts are interconnected proximate their bottom ends.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the latch post assembly further comprises a pair of vertically spaced apart struts extending across the latch gap and secured to the two latch posts, wherein the vertical pin extends between the pair of vertically spaced apart struts.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the barrier is mounted on a sliding mechanism extending across the roadway.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the buttress end is positioned on the opposite side of the two buttress posts from the roadway and the buttress end has a lateral width greater than a lateral width of the barrier passage.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the crash gate is configured to meet a crash test standard capable of stopping a vehicle of a prescribed weight impacting the barrier in the closed position when traveling in a direction from the attack side toward the protected side within a determined distance.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the crash gate is configured to achieve an ASTM F2656 designation capable of stopping a 15,000-pound vehicle impacting the barrier in the closed position when traveling in a direction from the attack side toward the protected side within a determined distance.
 10. The method of claim 1, comprising impacting the barrier in the closed position with a vehicle of substantial mass traveling in a direction from the attack side toward the protected side.
 11. The method of claim 1, comprising impacting the barrier in the closed position with a vehicle having a weight of approximately 15,000 pounds traveling in a direction from the attack side toward the protected side at a speed of approximately 28 miles per hour or greater, wherein the vehicle is stopped within a distance of approximately 98 feet or less from the barrier in the closed position.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the vehicle is stopped within approximately 23 feet or less from the barrier in the closed position.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the vehicle is traveling at a speed of approximately 47 miles per hour or greater.
 14. A method of crash testing an anti-ram gate, comprising: impacting a vehicle of substantial mass into a barrier of an anti-ram gate when the vehicle is traveling in a direction from an attack side toward a protected side; and the anti-ram gate stopping the vehicle within a distance of a closed position of the barrier, wherein the anti-ram gate comprises: a buttress post assembly secured in a ground comprising two buttress posts forming a barrier passage; a latch post assembly secured in the ground on an opposite side of a roadway from the buttress post assembly, the latch post assembly comprising two latch posts forming a latch gap; a vertical pin positioned in the latch gap and extending between a pair of vertically spaced apart struts; and the barrier comprising a horizontal gate beam disposed in the barrier passage and extending from a buttress end to a latch end, the buttress end having a lateral width greater than a lateral width of the barrier passage, and the latch end comprising a hook open toward the protected side, wherein the barrier is positioned in the closed position with the barrier extending across the roadway, the buttress end positioned on the opposite side of the two buttress posts from the roadway, and with the latch end located in the latch gap on the attack side relative to the vertical pin.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the vehicle has a weight of approximately 15,000 pounds or greater and is traveling at a speed of approximately 28 miles per hour or greater.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the vehicle has a weight of approximately 15,000 pounds or greater and is traveling at a speed of approximately 28 miles per hour or greater; and the distance is approximately 98 feet or less.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the vehicle has a weight of approximately 15,000 pounds or greater and is traveling at a speed of approximately 47 miles per hour or greater; and the distance is approximately 98 feet or less.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the vehicle has a weight of approximately 15,000 pounds or greater and is traveling at a speed of approximately 47 miles per hour or greater; and the distance is approximately 27 feet or less.
 19. A method associated with a crash gate configured to guard against motor vehicles crossing in a direction from an attack side to a protected side, comprising: securing a buttress post assembly and a latch post assembly on opposite sides of a roadway, wherein the buttress post assembly comprises two vertical buttress posts forming a barrier passage, the latch post assembly comprises two vertical latch posts forming a latch gap, and a vertical pin positioned in the latch gap; the latch post assembly further comprising a pair of vertically spaced apart struts extending across the latch gap and secured to the two latch posts, the pin extending between the pair of vertically spaced apart struts; and mounting a moveable barrier in the barrier passage, the barrier comprising a rectangular frame including a horizontal gate beam extending from a buttress end to a latch end, the latch end comprising a hook open toward the protected side, wherein in a closed position the latch end is located in the latch gap.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein: the buttress post assembly comprises a lateral leg located below ground and extending substantially perpendicular to the barrier and a longitudinal leg located below the ground and extending substantially parallel to the barrier; and the latch post assembly comprises a lateral leg located below ground and extending substantially perpendicular to the barrier and a longitudinal leg located below the ground and extending substantially parallel to the barrier.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the two buttress posts are interconnected proximate their top ends; and the two latch posts are interconnected proximate their top ends.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the two buttress posts are interconnected proximate their bottom ends; and the two latch posts are interconnected proximate their bottom ends.
 23. The method of claim 19, wherein the buttress end is positioned on the opposite side of the two buttress posts from the roadway and the buttress end has a lateral width greater than a lateral width of the barrier passage. 